Note 457:1 — THE PANG MORE SHARP THAN ALL[457:1]
Reading edition
First published in 1834. With lines 36-43, and with the poem as a whole, compare the following fragments of uncertain date, which were first published in a note to the edition of 1893. Both the poem as completed and these fragments of earlier drafts seem to belong to the last decade of the poet's life. The water-mark of the scrap of paper on which these drafts are written is 1819, but the tone and workmanship of the verse suggest a much later date, possibly 1826.
'—— into my Heart The magic Child as in a magic glass Transfused, and ah! he left within my Heart A loving Image and a counterpart.'
'—— into my Heart As 'twere some magic Glass the magic child Transfused his Image and full counterpart; And then he left it like a Sylph beguiled To live and yearn and languish incomplete! Day following day, more rugged grows my path. There dwells a cloud before my heavy eyes; A Blank my Heart, and Hope is dead and buried, Yet the deep yearning will not die; but Love Clings on and cloathes the marrowless remains, Like the fresh moss that grows on dead men's bones, Quaint mockery! and fills its scarlet cups With the chill dewdamps of the Charnel House. O ask not for my Heart! my Heart is but The darksome vault where Hope lies dead and buried, And Love with Asbest Lamp bewails the Corse.'